Not so glorious mud as Saltaire's Titus Rocks Festival called off

A day-long music festival in Saltaire had to be cancelled on safety grounds following the bank holiday downpours.

Heavy rain on Friday and overnight into the following morning left the Hirst Wood Lock site waterlogged and organisers of the Titus Rocks event decided on Saturday that it could not go ahead.

Their decision was vindicated by the heavy rain which continued through much of the day.

Organiser Lucy Hainsworth said it became apparent on Friday the event was in doubt and the final decision was made because part of the site, which is grassed, was already waterlogged on Saturday morning.

“It is gutting,” she said. “This is the first time we have done it and we are hoping to do it annually. Given the weather, it is difficult to say how many people would have turned up.

“It has been a big disappointment for us but a lot of people have messaged to say they are looking forward to getting a new date, but we need to discuss that with the Council.”

One band, a One Direction tribute act, was driving from Taunton, Somerset, where it had performed on Friday night and had to turn around.

The site had been fully prepared, with a stage, lighting and sound system in place along with security fencing, marquees and toilets. It all had to be dismantled without being used.

Meanwhile, the official opening day of Ilkley Lido left visitors getting almost as wet as the swimmers.

Bradford Council and the Friends of Ilkley Lido had worked to get the pool open earlier than normal and were fortunate enough to get excellent weather for that event last weekend, with hundreds of visitors turning up.

But the official event on Saturday, which had other activities including face-painting and a climbing wall booked, was hampered by poor weather.

Friends of Ilkley Lido spokesman Louise Hale said the weather forecast was better for the week ahead and they were hopeful that would draw in more visitors, alongside a busy programme of summer events.